Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Podcasts
    • Optimist Overtime
    • Top of the Key
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / Sports / Naimadu runs world’s best 10K time in ’07

Naimadu runs world’s best 10K time in ’07

April 4, 2007 by Jared Fields

By Jared Fields, Managing Editor

He’s not human.

At least Derek Hood doesn’t think so. It’s the only explanation he can give about Nicodemus Naimadu.

Naimadu turned in a world-best time this year of 28:06.06 in the 10,000-kilometers at the Stanford Invitational on Saturday night.

The mark shattered ACU’s school record set by Laurant Ngirakamaro of 29:26.25 by 80 seconds.

The race was Naimadu’s first time to run the 10K since coming to ACU.

“I’ve been wanting to run the 10k for a long time,” Naimadu said. “I told coach early in the semester I want to run the 10k.”

Hood said the two have been discussing Naimadu running the race but recalls one time specifically.

“Minutes after indoor nationals,” he said.

In the process, Naimadu beat some of the best distance runners in the country.

“Anything over 10,000 meters, he’s our best hope,” Hood said about Ryan Hall, whom Naimadu beat. “He set the [North] American half-marathon record over Christmas break.”

Hood knows Naimadu hasn’t focused on training for such a long race, the 10k is about 6.2 miles, but sees something in Naimadu that sets him apart.

“It’s just the blessing that Nic has – the talent,” Hood said. “He hasn’t done 10,000-meter training.”

The Stanford Invitational is one of the premiere meets for long-distance runners, bringing top runners from the country and world to compete.

“That was the point of going,” said Hood.

Hood said most people would take some time to rest after such a race, but Naimadu has a title to defend in Austin at the Texas Relays.

“He ran 25 laps on a hard track in spikes,” Hood said. “Running 4:30 mile splits.”

But Naimadu is human. His sore calves and back are steady reminders to him. However, with a few days of rest, Naimadu said he knows he will be ready to defend his steeplechase crown.

“I know my body will respond fine,” Naimadu said.

Naimadu ran an 8:35.87 in the event last year, breaking the stadium record.

“An 8:35, I plan to run better than that,” he said.

Other than Naimadu, the Wildcats automatically qualified two events for the national outdoor meet this weekend at the UTEP Springtime Invitational. Vladyslav Gorbenko jumped 25-2.00 feet in the long jump and the women’s 4×400 relay, with a time of 3:41.34, won the event.

The men’s 4×400 relay team improved its provisional time, winning the event with a time of 40.50 seconds.

Also at Stanford, Serger Gasore and Laurant Ngirakamaro provisionally qualified in the 10k with times of 30:19.38 and 30: 36.94, respectively. In the 5,000-kilometers, Philip Birgen provisionally qualified in 14:43.62 minutes.

Filed Under: Sports Tagged With: Track & Field

Other Sports:

  • Patterson’s brand of ACU football: Character. Discipline. Toughness.

  • Seven new roster additions highlight eventful postseason for Tanner and Wildcats

  • Baseball drops falls short in regular season ending series in Huntsville

About Jared Fields

You are here: Home / Sports / Naimadu runs world’s best 10K time in ’07

Other Sports:

  • Patterson’s brand of ACU football: Character. Discipline. Toughness.

  • Seven new roster additions highlight eventful postseason for Tanner and Wildcats

  • Baseball drops falls short in regular season ending series in Huntsville

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
4 May

"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray:
https://acuoptimist.com/2022/04/not-so-friendly-competition/

Reply on Twitter 1521918832738144257 Retweet on Twitter 1521918832738144257 1 Like on Twitter 1521918832738144257 8 Twitter 1521918832738144257
acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
3 May

Royce Clough and Jael Morel have been named as Mr. and Miss ACU for the class of 2022, a traditional honor voted on by the student body and awarded to two members of each graduating class.

Reply on Twitter 1521607087553458178 Retweet on Twitter 1521607087553458178 Like on Twitter 1521607087553458178 18 Twitter 1521607087553458178

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

3 months ago

The Optimist
"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray: ... See MoreSee Less

Not-so-friendly competition - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

BY: LONDYN GRAY “Number 18, you look like you don’t shower!” I chuckled and shrugged it off. “Londyn!” They had looked up the roster. “Do you even brush your teeth?” I laughed again, rol...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

3 months ago

The Optimist
Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and the Department of Theatre. ... See MoreSee Less

Cullen Auditorium still set for a name change alongside renovations - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and th...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Women’s tournament run ended by first-round exit against UTRGV

The Wildcats’ Western Athletic Conference tournament run and season came to a ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 22. 2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.16.2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.9.2022

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Weekly Ads
  • Classifieds

© 2022 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved